Once Halloween ends, Christmas decorations start showing up everywhere, from dorm hallways to store aisles. Every year, the debate over how early is too early to start decorating for Christmas resurfaces. For some, Nov. 1 marks the official start of the holiday season, a time to bring out the lights, trees and fun decorations that make everything feel joyful.
Though some people think decorating for Christmas should come after Thanksgiving to give each holiday its own time, many others like to soak in the Christmas cheer for as long as they can. For them, decorating early is not about skipping ahead. It is about embracing the joy, peace and nostalgia the season brings. Eden Anderson explained, “I believe that Thanksgiving is a day or two and Christmas is a whole season. Christmas takes over because people see November as the cold months. Also, I think people just enjoy being festive and in the spirit for more than one month.”
With Thanksgiving being a day focused on gratitude and family, it is easy to see why many people mix it with the Christmas season. Both holidays center around values such as thankfulness, love and spending time with the people you care about. Starting Christmas early is not about ignoring Thanksgiving; it is about keeping that same thankful and uplifting spirit going a little longer. Decorating early, sharing food and spending time with loved ones are all ways to celebrate the people we are blessed to have in our lives.
Kristen Limke noted, “I think decorating earlier helps with holiday spirit because Christmas is a happy time, and decorating for it usually brings people happiness.”
There are also many traditions passed down through families that people try to keep alive during the holidays. Some families have a special day each year when they put up the tree together, while others bake cookies or watch their favorite Christmas movies. These traditions often bring back childhood memories and make the season feel more meaningful. Anderson added, “Me and my family have a tradition of watching a Christmas movie and making dinner after we put up the Christmas tree together.” Keeping traditions like these helps people stay connected with their families and reminds them of the joy and love shared during the holidays.
No matter when people decide to start decorating, the holiday season means something special to everyone. For many, it is about keeping family traditions alive. For others, it is about spreading joy a little earlier. Whether the decorations go up on Nov. 1 or after Thanksgiving, the main goal is to celebrate one another and create meaningful memories. It is less about when we start decorating and more about the happiness it brings to us and the people around us.
Photo by: SNU Creative